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I get that it is really hard to get excited about something that isn’t really defined, known, or understood well, but the overt antipathy is a bit of a mystery for me. I get that many have doubts on Apple’s ability to deliver a truly innovative device based on recent track-record, but I would like to think Apple’s contribution would be helpful to see the AR/VR sector develop and flourish… even if they are not the best OR whether you’re interested in buying it.
If I don’t see Mr. Tim Cook not doing the in-stage presentation of Apple’s AR/VR headset. I’m not going to be interested in buying it. I only want him to do the demonstration live in person.
 
I get that it is really hard to get excited about something that isn’t really defined, known, or understood well, but the overt antipathy is a bit of a mystery for me. I get that many have doubts on Apple’s ability to deliver a truly innovative device based on recent track-record, but I would like to think Apple’s contribution would be helpful to see the AR/VR sector develop and flourish… even if they are not the best OR whether you’re interested in buying it.
I think a big issue with VR headsets is that it further isolates people from reality / the real world. I can see them being used in some work functions, gaming and watching movies, but further removing yourself from the environment by wearing a masked set of goggles just seems antisocial. It’s bad enough that people are on their devices so much. Yes I’m old…
 


Apple's first mixed-reality headset may feature "in-air" typing capabilities and can be used independently without an accompanying iPhone, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


apple-mixed-reality-headset-concept-by-david-lewis-and-marcus-kane.jpg


Apple headset concept by David Lewis and Marcus Kane


In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that Apple's headset is unlikely to require a paired iPhone, in contrast to the original Apple Watch. The device can purportedly be set up without an accompanying iPhone and download a user's content independently, including iCloud data. A data transfer from a user's iPhone upon setup will be an option rather than a requirement.

"In-air typing," Apple's method for text input using eye movements and hand gestures with the device, is apparently enabled on the latest internal prototypes. The feature is "finicky," Gurman warned, explaining that "you still may want to pair an iPhone to use its touch-screen keyboard... The hope within Apple is to make rapid improvements after the device is released."

Apple is still planning to unveil the first version of the headset, likely called "Reality Pro," at WWDC in June this year, with the device shipping toward the end of 2023 at the earliest. The company is also developing multiple other headset models for further in the future. There is a cheaper model with a lower-end display and processor components planned for launch at the end of 2024 or in 2025, likely under the "Reality One" name, as well as a second-generation Reality Pro headset.

The second-generation Reality Pro headset is apparently focused on performance improvements. While the first-generation model will contain the M2 chip alongside a secondary chip for AR and VR processing, it is apparently not powerful enough to output graphics at the level Apple wants. For example, FaceTime will only support realistic VR representations of just two people at a time, rather than everyone in a conference call, with the first-generation headset. The second-generation Reality Pro could have a variant of the M3 or M4 chip to bolster its graphics capabilities, Gurman said.

Article Link: Gurman: Apple Headset Could Feature 'In-Air' Typing for Text Input, No iPhone Pairing Required
Given how great dictation has become in recent years, I'm surprised that anyone would care about typing in the air unless you just want a cool tech demo that no one would really use in the real world.

I'm still trying to figure out the applications that would entice a consumer to buy this expensive 1st generation headset. Apple will sell 10,000 of these on day one to developers but after that, where's the demand? I could see myself occasionally wearing this indoors and doing some work, watching content and of course, playing games but I don't think we'll see anyone wearing these outside until they become regular glasses you can wear on your face while looking normal.
 
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I think a big issue with VR headsets is that it further isolates people from reality / the real world. I can see them being used in some work functions, gaming and watching movies, but further removing yourself from the environment by wearing a masked set of goggles just seems antisocial. It’s bad enough that people are on their devices so much. Yes I’m old…
I'm old as well and remember when adults said the same thing about kids like me wearing Walkman headphones in public.
 
Air typing or not the interesting bit of this to me is the fact that they are aiming to not make having an iPhone a requirement. One big reason the original iPhone was such a success is that it didn’t require a Mac, and soon enough didn’t require a PC either. For it to be truly successful it will have to stand alone.
 
The second-generation Reality Pro headset is apparently focused on performance improvements. While the first-generation model will contain the M2 chip alongside a secondary chip for AR and VR processing, it is apparently not powerful enough to output graphics at the level Apple wants. For example, FaceTime will only support realistic VR representations of just two people at a time, rather than everyone in a conference call, with the first-generation headset. The second-generation Reality Pro could have a variant of the M3 or M4 chip to bolster its graphics capabilities, Gurman said.
Sounds like it would be heavier than consumers would want with that kind of processing power needed. Some thought this would a iPhone replacement? Wait and see if it worth it, is what all of us should do.
 
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ok, let's throw some new rumors at this thing to hype it up - what features will it bring that compell me to spend 3k (or so) on top of all my existing gear?? nothing I've been told here on MR is worth it to me, as a consumer. I see plenty business use cases but that is not Apple's market.
And please, don't tell me that the iPhone was in the same situation, it was not.
 
And putting out a cheaper lower res on in the future does not make any sense. Is seems with this tech you are either fully immersed in it or you are not.
you mean like how the second generation iPhone was $400 cheaper than the first generation?
Or how the iPad Mini was introduced two and a half years after the big iPad at an almost $200 discount?
Or the “Series 1” Watch that was introduced at the same time as the second generation, and was quite a bit cheeper?
Or the HomePod Nini…
iPod Mini/nano/shuffle…
Literally every product category Apple has entered in in the last 20 years, they start with a very expensive first generation, usually followed by a scaled down cheeper version that takes off a couple years later that has all of the essentials.
The first iPhone sold about 6 million units… The second one sold 30 million.
The first Apple Watch was a decent enough success… But the cheaper series one and series 2 were really what caused them to absolutely dominate the market.
The $350 HomePod was a failure when it comes to sales… While the HomePod mini is literally the best selling individual smart speaker of the last couple years.
 
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I'd rather buy an apple car than apple headset... maybe they know what they are doing but I doubt it. Will have to see if there is some magical feature I can't think of right now. I was hoping by 2023 stuff like this would be contact lenses 😂
 
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Sorry but there is not one aspect of this headset that interests me. Not one. Each new leak does nothing to entice me to want this. If you are interested, enjoy, but I just have no desire to strap this to my head.
Agree. I guess this isn't marketed toward me, but I do not see the infatuation with VR in most cases. Maybe they are going to push it towards more like work-related things (medical field, etc.)
 
I agree with some of you. They do not generate any kind of interest for me.

Multiple pieces of information have come out, with many leaked features and none of them interest me. writing on air? If I already feel ridiculous watching people doing viral challenges on TikTok, I don't even want to imagine people writing on air.

I see this technology as interesting for certain points, but the truth is that in general terms, it scares me. It scares me because if today we are already isolated in many cases from the real world, what will happen if this technology is successful.

Not long ago I saw Ready Player One, and I see this future coming with this technology and it does not seem at all far-fetched to me that we could reach a similar situation.

But apart from my fears and reticence about this technology, really with the "leaked" information, it does not call me at all or generate any kind of interest.
 
I am excited, if apple thinks m2 isn’t good enough for its expectation I can only imagine what graphics they are aiming at. Compared to quest2, m2 is already order of magnitude more powerful. And I use the quest 2 every day and still in awe at the vr game experiences even on its shtty graphics, for example taking off on a carrier in a ww2 plane surrounded by other planes where you can look around the cockpit etc..the experience is surreal even with its early 2000s graphics, or play table tennis with real player that has 1:1 hand mapping and physics where you can do all the spins and serves you do in real life, you don’t even realize it’s vr after a while. It is also a godsend for exercise that is done in a fun way where time flies, vs boring running or treadmills.

All the lemmings bashing this don’t understand what a photo realistic vr gaming experience feels like, it’s transformational. Today to achieve some of the photo realistic graphic, you need a $1k vr set hardwired to a $2k pc with bunch configurations which obviously isn’t practical as a grab and go experience, very excited apple will enter this space as the 100000 lb gorilla and over the next few years iterate the hardware to achieve photo realistic wireless vr with a light headset. Battery isn’t really a major concern here unlike phones, few hours per charge is more than sufficient. Need the graphics and games!
 
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